Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. It protects you from the elements, keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and adds to your curb appeal. But what happens when your roof is in bad shape? Do you need to repair it or replace it altogether? Let's look at a few ways to determine if you should look into roof repair or roof replacement.

Style

Do you need roof repairs, or do you just want to change the look of your home? Visually, your roof takes up a significant portion of the exterior of your home. If you are looking for a style change, this may be a good way to make a big impact. With a full roof replacement, you can change the style or color of your roof. For example, a wood shingle roof tends to give homes a more rustic appearance. Homeowners looking for something more conventional should consider switching to asphalt shingles. According to House Grail, more than 80% of re-roofing projects in the U.S. use asphalt shingle roofs. Asphalt shingles come in many colors which allows you to find the perfect look for your house.

Cost

The cost of repairing a roof is typically less than the cost of replacing it. If a portion of your asphalt roof has minor damage, the roofing contractor can simply replace the individual shingles with new ones. They won't need to buy nearly as many shingles or spend as much time working on your roof as they would for a full roof installation. However, if the damage is extensive, the cost of repair may be close to the cost of replacement. Once your roofer has inspected the roof, ask them to provide pricing for both options. If the prices are close, you may want to invest in a full replacement. Not only will you have a new roof that will last for years to come, but by making this investment you'll avoid further repair costs. Be sure to check with your insurance company to determine if any roofing work is covered by your home insurance policy. If you're unsure about what to do, ask your roofing contractor for their opinion.

Age

Do you know the age of your roof? If you lived there at the time of the previous roof installation, finding that information may be as easy as looking through your personal records. If not, you'll need to do some research. Look through records left by the previous homeowners, or ask your neighbors if they know anything about past roof replacements. If all else fails, a roofer can estimate the age of your roof. Once you have that information, you can make a plan. While it's possible to repair older roofs, you may have trouble matching the color of the shingles and it may not be worth the cost compared to a replacement roof. If your roof is decades old, it's recommended to replace the entire thing.

Safety

If your roof has major damage, it may be a safety issue. While you could have the roofing business only perform repairs on the damaged part of the roof, it's likely that the damage affected more than what's visible. To be safe, it's better to schedule a full roof installation. That way, the roofer can make sure the structure as a whole is safe and intact.

Timing

While everything mentioned above should factor into your decision, timing may be the ultimate deciding factor. If you need a functional roof quickly, a repair might be the faster option. For example, if you have family staying over, you wouldn't want to have the entire roof torn off while they're visiting. Once the time is right, you can decide if the repair is adequate or if you want to go through with a full roof installation.

Making the decision of whether to repair or replace your roof can be a difficult one. However, by considering the factors above, you can make an informed decision that's right for you and your home. Another important decision to make is who will fix or replace your roof. For quality roofing services, call High Caliber Roofing. With decades of experience, our team is ready to give you the roof you deserve!